Ironing machine



Aug. 6, 1946.

K. CLARK IRQNING MACHINE Original Filed May 21, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 6, 1946. K. CLARK IRONING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 21, 1938 lllrllam Aug. 6, 1946. K. CLARK IRONING MACHINE Origifial Filed May 21, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet s I FIG. l4

Aug. 6, 1946. K. CLARK IRONING MACHINE 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed May 21,

PIC-L16 a? Patented Aug. 6, 1946 IRONIN G MACHINE Kendall Clark, Oakwood, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware May 21, 1938, Serial No.

flriginal application 209,227. Divided and this application January 26, 1943, Serial No. 473,621

13 Claims. (01. 312-2) This invention relates to an ironing machine, and more particularly to a power driven ironing machine contained within a folding cabinet.

This application i a division of my copending application Serial No. 209,227, filed May 21, 1938, now Patent 2,379,788, patented July 3, 1945.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel type of folding ironer cabinet, the sides of which become working shelves for the ironer when the cabinetis'unfolded.

Another object of this invention is to provide a folding cabinet for an ironer or the like, which folds into a package having relatively small horizontal extent, thus. being particularly useful where floor space is at a premium.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred form of the, present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the ironer with the cabinet unfolded, as embodied in the present invention Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the cabinet partially folded Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing the pedal base folded into the cabinet;

Fig. 4' is a perspective View showing the left leg folded into the cabinet;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the cabinet folded down against the right leg;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the folded ironer as it appears when not in use;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view showing the latching mechanism for retaining the pedal base and the left supporting leg of the ironer during the folding of the ironer cabinet, and taken along the line 1 of Fig.8;

Fig. 8 is a section taken along the. line 8 of Fig.

Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a section taken along the line It of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the hinges, inopen position, used to mount the extension 4 on table top I;

Fig. 12 is a view similar-to Fig. 11, but showing the extension 4 in folded position;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the strap 50; and

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectionalvie'w showing details of the catches between extension 4 and barrier 5;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line l5-l5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectionalview taken along the line I 6-46 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 17 i a View taken along the line l.'il1 of Fig. 1, also on enlarged scale;

Fig. 18' is a horizontal cross-section taken along the line l'8|8 of Fig. 4, one corner only being shown;

Fig. 19 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line l9l9 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 20'is an enlarged top View of a corner of the table top 1';

Fig. 21 is a cross-section taken along the line 25-21 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged view of an upper corner of leg I;

Fig. 23 is a top View of Fig. 22; and

Fig. 24 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the line 24-24 of Figs. 8 and 10.

Any type of ironer construction may be used. By way of illustration the ironer disclosed in my copending application S. N. 209,227, now Patent No. 2,379,788, patented July 3, 1945, is shown. The mechanism is mounted on a folding work table which becomes a cabinet enclosing the ironer when folded.

The ironer as shown in Fig. 1 is fastened to the top of the work table I. Additional working surface is provided by a front helf extension 2 hinged to the work table I by hinges 2a. In a similar manner the working surface is extended to the rear by the rear shelf 3 also hinged to the table i. A side extension 4 is also provided and is hinged to the tablel by hinges 40:. These hinges may be of the double fulcrum variety shown in Figs. 11 and '12. For example, the leaf may be secured to the extension 4 and may be fulcrumed at H to the movable leaf 12. The leaf 12 may be fulcrumed at '13 to the leaf M which is secured to the table top I The movable fulcrum H swings from the position shown in Fig. 11 to that shown in Fig. 12, the operator exerting a slight lifting movement to the extension 4. To prevent articles from falling off the rear of the work table a vertical barrier 5: extends upward from the rear edge of the shelf 3 and preferably is fixedly secured to the shelf 3 at right angles thereto. The table I is supported on legs 6 and 'l which carries a pedal base 8, having control pedals 9 and H. The leg 6 and l are hinged to the table I, and the pedal base is hinged to the lower end of leg 1. The pedal base 8 is provided with hooks 8a which fit into slots 6a in legs 5. This cabinet may be folded into a compact case which rests on the base I fixed to the lower end of leg 1.

Fig. 2 shows the cabinet partially folded. The three shelf extensions 2, 3 and 4 are folded-up and become two sides and an end of the protecting cabinet. The vertical barrier 5, attached to the rear shelf extension, becomes the upper or third side of the cabinet. The original work table top I forms the under or fourth side of the cab- Suitable frictional catches may be pro-- inet. vided to hold these sides in folded position. For

example, the barrier 5 may be provided with a metal or leather strap 58 (Fig. 13) which is pro: vided with a recess 5I, which receives the button pedal base 8 is folded on its hinges against the right vertical leg 1, as indicated by the dotted lines and the small permanent base ID of the machine is now revealed. A small latch (to be described in detail later) holds the pedal base 8 indie folded position.

Fig. 4 shows the cabinet more fully folded, the

' left leg 6 of the ironer being folded up under the ,table top I.

A small latch (to be described in more detail later) holds the left leg in the folded position. r

The ironer cabinet is now folded down against the right leg 1 as shown in Fig. 5.

The resulting unit, as shown in Fig. 6, is a neat cabinet enclosure for the ironer that occupies very little fiOOr space and is so small that it can be readily stored in any portion of a kitchen or laundry. A pair of small wheels I2 on the cabinet base It are provided to aid in moving the unit.

To unfold the ironer, as shown in Fig. 6, the

.operator grasps a small handle i5 and raises the. left end of the cabinet to a position slightly higher than that shown in Fig. 4. Automatic latches (to be described in more detail later) first release the left leg 6 and subsequently the pedal base 8. The

pedal base 8 engages the left leg 6, the hook 8a entering and resting in the slot 5a. The cabinet is then lowered until the left leg 6 bears on the floor, and the ironer appears as shown in Fig. 2.

The sides are then unfolded, and the ironer appears as shown inFig. 1 and is ready to use. The .pedal base 8 is provided with pedals 9 and II which are connected with cable control I02 and I08 for the ironer.

Details of the automatic latching mechanism are shown in Figs. 1 to 10. The table top I preferably is a sheet metal panel having side flanges 55. The leg 6 preferably is a sheet metal panel having side flanges and an end flange 51 reinforced by an angle iron 58. The leg 1 is a sheet base 8 is a sheet metal panel having side flanges 60. The end of leg 6 is provided with a pair of feet, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The table top I i hinged to the leg 1 by pins I33 which pass through flanges 55 and 59 of top metal panel having side flanges 59. The pedalcarry pins I39 which support the ends of latches I31.

The latches I31 have hooks I40, with tapered lower edges. The flanges 56 of leg 5 have outwardly directed projections I36 which hook over the hooks I45 and retain the legin raised position until the unfolding operation is started.

The flanges 55 of the top I carry right angled brackets I58 to which are riveted spring latches I34 having hooks I34a. When the pedal base 3 swing upwardly its end, I5I, hooks under hooks I34a, so that the leg 8 is retained in it folded, upper position until the unfolding operation is started.

Further details are as follows: The leg 5 is hinged to the top I by means of a pin I83, which is welded to the flange 55 of the top I and which loosely passes through flange 55.

The leg I has, at its upper corners, a bent leaf I10, which cooperates with the latch I34 to lift the latch I34 when the top I is moved to the position I46, as indicated in Fig. 10. The leg 1 also has openings I15 at its upper corners to receive the flanges 55 of the. table top I.

The pedal base 8 is provided with two flanged openings Ill and I12 in which the pedals 9 and II are hinged by hinges I13. The base 8 also has an end flange I14 and two end ears III through which the hinge pins I I5 loosely extend from the leg 1 and base IS. The pins III) may comprise a bolt having a head I15 over which an extended threaded nut I11 i placed to clamp the leg 1 and base I0 together. The end of the bolt constitutes the pin Iill through which the end ears III are hinged. L

Rods I5! and I05 have bearings in the flanges of openings Ill and I12 and in flange I14. The rod IilI is bent at I83, with the end I030. attached to the rod or cable I08. The other end of .rod MI is bent at I91, and again at I18, where it is provided with a pulley I19 to cooperate'with the bottom of pedal 9. Whenever the pedal the depressed, it, depresses pulley I19 and swings rod IflI clockwise, thus lowering the end I03a which is connected to the cable or rod I08.

The rod IE5 is bent at I04, the end ma being connected with the cable or rod I02. "The other end of the rod IE5 is bent at I and again at I3I, where it is provided with a pulley I32 to cooperate with the pedal I I. Whenever thefpedal II is depressed, the pulley I82 is depressed and the rod I55 is turned clockwise, thus lowering end I 64a together with cable or rod I82.

When the pedal base 8 is swung upward, on the pins H5, the pedals 9 and I I, together with the bent portions I03 and I54, fold inwardly, thus allowing the face of pedal base 8 to come into proximity of the face of leg I.

The base It includes a bottom pan I98 having flanges IQl and I92, and a vertical pan I93 having flanges I94 and I95.

During the unfolding operation the left leg 6 is automatically released by lifting the left end of the cabinet to a position indicated by the'line M4 in Fig. '1. Levers I 32 pivoted onpins I33 engage an extension MB of the right leg I. Levers I42 also engage latches I31. The lifting of the left end of thecabinet inclines the table top I of the cabinet inclines the table top I to the'rposition shown by the dotted line M6, in Fig. 10.

which automatically unhooks the spring latches l34,by lifting them above the edge of pedal base, 8 and releases the pedal base 8 so that it can "swim-2g down, as indicated by the dotted lines in "Fig.- a

a In operation, the machine assembly, as shown in Fig. 6, is moved to so that it can swing down as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4-. Similarly, lifting on the handle is a position indicated a little further to swing the cabinet to ing the latche I34 from the edge of the base 8 and allowing the base 8 to swing down, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. The shelves 2 and 4 and the back and cover 3 and 5 are then unfolded to the position shown in Fig. l, for operation of the ironer.

When the ironing operation is finished, the op"- erator then folds the cabinet by folding upwardly the sides and ends 2, 3, 2 and 5 to the position shown in Fig. 2. Thereafter he folds the base 3 upwardly as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, after which he fold the leg 6 upwardly as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. Thereafter he lowers the main body of the cabinet downwardly, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, so that the cabinet is now in vertical position, as indicated in Fig. 6. The cabinet may then be rolled, on rollers I 2, by a slight tilting movement, to its place of storage.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A folding cabinet and stand comprising a table top having extension elements hinged thereon and foldable to form an enclosure, a first supporting leg hinged to the table top and on which said table top is arranged to swing, said first leg having a laterally projecting base secured to its lower end to support said cabinet in a vertical position, and a second supporting leg hinged to the table top and arranged to fold under said table top.

2. A folding cabinet and stand comprising a table top having extension elements hinged there on and foldable to form an enclosure, a first supporting leg hinged to one end of the table top: a pedal base means hinged at the bottom of said first supporting leg to project laterally and to fold up against said supporting leg; a second supporting leg hinged to said table top to fold up under said table top; and the folded portion of the cabinet arranged to fold down against the first supporting leg of said stand, and means connected to one of said legs to form a base to support said cabinet vertically.

3. A folding cabinet and stand comprising a table top having extension elements hinged thereon and foldable to form an enclosure, a first supporting leg hinged to one end of the table top; a pedal base hinged at the bottom of said first supporting leg to project laterally and to fold up by the line M6 in Fig. automatically releases the base section 8 by liftagainst said supporting leg; a second supporting leg :hin'gedto said table top to fold up under said table top; the folded portion of the cabinet arranged'to fold down against the first supporting leg of said stand, means to lock said pedal base and second supporting leg when folded, and automatic means for releasing the pedal base and the second supporting leg when the cabinet is unfolded.

4. A folding supporting means for an ironer comprising a table top for mounting the ironer, cover means for said table top forming a, boxlike cabinet for the ironer, right and left legs for supporting said table top, means whereby one of said legs may be folded under said table top, the other of said legs having means whereby said box-like cabinet may be swung downwardly adiacent said last named leg, and a base secured to said last named leg t support said cabinet in a vertical position.

5. A folding supporting means for an ironer comprisin a, table top for mounting the ironer having extension elements hinged thereon and foldable to form an enclosure, a leg at each end of said table top, a, pedal base hinged to one of said legs and extending to the other of said legs, one of said legs being hinged to said table top whereby it may be folded under said table top, said table top being hinged to the other of said legs whereby said table top may be swung vertically downward adjacent said last named leg, said last named leg being provided with means forming a base to support said enclosure in folded vertical position.

6. A folding supporting means for an ironer comprising a table top for mountin the ironer, first and second named legs hinged one at each end of said table top respectively, a pedal base hinged to the bottom of said first named leg and extending to said second named leg, a base for the ironer secured to the bottom of said first named leg, said pedal base being foldable upwardly adjacent said first named leg, said second named leg being foldable upwardly under said table top, and said table top while carrying said second named leg being foldable downwardly adjacent said pedal base and first named leg and onto said base for the ironer.

7. A folding supporting means for an ironer comprising a table top for mounting the ironer,

rst and second named legs hinged one at each end of said table top respectively, a pedal base hinged to the bottom of said first named leg and extending to said second named leg, a base for the ironer secured to the bottom of said first named leg, said pedal base being foldable upwardly adjacent said first named, leg, said second named leg being foldable upwardly under said table top, and said table top while carrying said second named leg being foldable downwardly adjacent said pedal base and first named le and onto said base for the ironer, latch means securing said pedal base and second named leg in folded position, and automatic release means for releasing said latch means by unfolding movement of said table top through more "than ninety degrees from said folded position.

8. A cabinet comprising atable top having extension elements hinged thereon and foldable to form an enclosure, legs hinged to the table top for supporting said table top in horizontal position, means whereby said table top and legs may be folded into a vertical rectangular structure, and a base connected to one of said legs for supporting said structure while in a vertical position.

9. A folding support for an instrument or the like comprising a table top for mounting the in strument or the like, legs for supporting said table top in horizontal position, and means whereby said table top and legs may be folded into a vertical position, latch means for holding one of said legs in folded position which automatically latch said last named leg by the folding operation and automatically unlatch said last named leg by unfolding said table top beyond the horizontal while said one leg remains in vertical position. I

10. A folding supporting means for an instrument or the like comprising a table top for mounting the instrument or the like, legs for supporting said table top in horizontal position, and means whereby said table top and legs may be folded into a vertical position, latch means for holding one of said legs in folded position, and having means for automatically releasing said latch means during tilting movement of said table top above horizontal position.

11. A folding supporting means for an instrument or the like comprising a table top for mounting the instrument or the like, legs for supporting said table top in horizontal position, a pedal base on one of said legs, and means whereby said table top, legs, and pedal base may be folded into a vertical position, and means on one of said legs for supporting said supporting means in folded vertical position. I r

12. A folding supporting means for an instrument or the like comprising a table top for mounting the instrument or the like, legs for supporting said table top in horizontal position, a pedal base on one of said legs, and means whereby said table top, legs, and pedal base may be folded into a vertical position, latch means for holdin one of said legs and said pedal base in folded position, said latch mean having means automatically effective to latch said legs and pedal base when folded and automatically effective to unlatch said legs and said pedal base by tilting said table top above horizontal position.

13. A folding supporting means for an instrument or the like comprising a table top for mounting the instrument or the like, legs for supporting said table top in horizontal position, a pedal base on one of said legs, and means whereby said table top, legs, and pedal base may be folded into a vertical position, latch means for holding one of said legs and said pedal base in folded position, said latch means havin means for automatically releasing said latch means during tilting movement of said table top above horizontal position.

KENDALL CLARK. 

